Complete life do-over after 50 ?

[PlanZed]

Name changed.

Has anyone done this ? I mean changed your life radically after the age of 50 ? Please share your stories.

I fear my (second) marriage will end soon. I have no kids (not my choice). I don't mind my job but it's stressful and I don't want to do it much longer. Parents elderly (tricky relationship, they were abusive) and they live abroad. No siblings. A handful of good friends but that is all.

So. Basically I have fucked up my life. But I do have freedom. AIBU to think there still a chance for me to turn this around and avoid a sad and lonely old age ? Not just talking about a partner. I could be happy single, I just don't want to feel isolated and lost. I need a community but I don't know where/how.

I joined the prison service at 54! Always wanted to do that kind of job so went for it

And I love it, knew I would

Note as radical as some but I changed job/career last January aged 54 after almost 18 years with the same employer. Bittersweet as I had loved working there until a few years ago when I realised I was stuck in a rut & that a toxic culture had developed which wasn't likely to change.

It was a great move for me, includes travel away from home one night most weeks which would have suited less when DS was younger so it just felt like the time was right. Being in my 59s, it felt like a now or never opportunity too & I realised I'd regret not trying.

I would also love to live by the sea one day. My sister in law who has retired has bought a small property on the Northumberland coast which she is renovating & will let out for part of the year, she's already met a few women who have moved there in their fifties to follow their dreams & start again. Good luck with whatever you decide!

This thread is putting a smile on my face - so many inspiring stories. I am late 40s, and am retraining so that I can change career after 20+ years in the same job. I love it and feel very energised about the future. I have been single for a long time and expect I'll remain that way, barring a miracle. I love the independence and the fact I can suit myself.

OP, are there any areas in your city which have a strong community feel? I know in my city there are bits where people barely talk to each other, and bits where there is a much stronger community with lots going on, especially for people our age and above. Maybe a move within the city would give you a sense of a fresh start without having to move away from your friends. Just a thought.

Loving this thread. So inspiring.
I resolved to change my life in my 50th year having come out the other side of a total storm of young child, stressy job and menopause. Basically I chose to prioritise my needs for a year by:
Getting a life coach
Saying yes to everything I wanted to do and no to things I didn’t
Getting fitter but in a practical way - more gardening, school run on foot etc
Joining a style FB group (I enjoy clothes but never felt great)
Taking control of things that had run out of control - spending, wine etc
Focusing on one thing at a time to form better habits

I still live in the same house, am married to the same man, have the same job and income and the same friends but I am 100% more relaxed and so much happier. It was the small things that needed fixing.